Taildragger aux tank for '08 FJR

[TheBlueFrog]

Put a Sampson Sport Touring taildragger aux tank on my '08 this spring.

Now that it's got about 10K on it figured I'd share the knowledge.

Photo essay is here

Install was pretty simple and fast. More complicated than a gravity

feed system.

A lot of the 10K on the system has been rallying so it's been shaken out

pretty well. No issues. There were some teething problems with the

electric shut-off valve but that seem to have been resolved.

I did add a big bright red LED on the dash to tell me when the pump has

power after I overfilled the main a few times because I got distracted.

I can pretty much count on a 400 mile range from the system, somewhat

less in Utah and Nevada, of course.

mike

 

[TriggerT]

Link no worky!

 

[ngarider]

You left a quote at the end of your link.

Anyhow, nicely done.

 

[RenoJohn]

Mike!

Very nice. That sure is an awesome solution. Are you still having issues with the valve and pump?? maybe you can give us an overview of that (past?) drama?

thanks for sharing the pics ...I especially like this one as I did it wrong (two washers) on my bulkhead. Should have listened to Hal

how about another update at 150K ??

cheers! ...renojohn

 

[Rob]

It is neat an all but why? Were you wanting to be able to go places that don't have fuel stop but every 300 miles or what? I can get 250 to 300 miles on a tank and I really feel the need to get off and walk around way before then.

Is the added weight on the back of the bike giving any handling problems?

 

[kaitsdad]

Mike, the link isn't working.

Edit - removed the quote as ngarider indicated, got to the pics.

 

[BIODSL]

It is neat an all but why? Were you wanting to be able to go places that don't have fuel stop but every 300 miles or what? I can get 250 to 300 miles on a tank and I really feel the need to get off and walk around way before then.Is the added weight on the back of the bike giving any handling problems?

If you have to ask... Seriously Rob, once you've have a 400 or 450 mile range it's difficult to go back to stock. We don't always ride that far before fueling but you don't HAVE to stop every 250 for fuel. Also you're stops don't HAVE to be at a gas station or mini-mart for fuel. How about break at a nice rest area or a shady city park? With aux fuel you have options. During competitive rallies you're stopping at bonus locations. Being force to stop for gas just adds time.

Paul Peloquin

IBA #333

Monmouth OR

 

[3dogs]

Maybe this has been asked/discussed before, but do you ever worry about getting rear-ended. Looks like 4 gallons of fuel would be sprayed all over everything. Great installation!

 

[TheBlueFrog]

Link no worky!

Apologies, corrected, computers are so literal.

 

[TheBlueFrog]

John,

The issue with the electric valve was a misunderstanding between Sampson and

the valve manufacturer. Not having bought the kit again I can't verify it has been

resolved but Terry was involved and indicated he was changing over. The

symptom was the valve sticking open or closed, the resolution was a minor

change at the manufacturer's end.

Will be happy to provide an update at 150K, shouldn't be too long now.

Somebody asked about handling changes. I think I can tell if it's full or empty.

When rallying I do have a laptop in the trunk and carry a bunch of tools.

As John can attest, at elevated and possibly aggressive speeds, it goes just

fine, there is nothing untoward. I do transfer to the main when the main

gets down about 3 bars to get the weight forward as soon as possible,

mostly for the imagined, or real, sake of the rear tire.

I think it may eat rear tires a bit faster than without but given the FJR's

appetite it's hard to tell.

 

[TheBlueFrog]

Maybe this has been asked/discussed before, but do you ever worry about getting rear-ended. Looks like 4 gallons of fuel would be sprayed all over everything. Great installation!

I'm not worrying about gas if I get rear-ended.

IMHO, not much different than any configuration from a safety

standpoint.

 

[TheBlueFrog]

It is neat an all but why? Were you wanting to be able to go places that don't have fuel stop but every 300 miles or what? I can get 250 to 300 miles on a tank and I really feel the need to get off and walk around way before then.Is the added weight on the back of the bike giving any handling problems?

If I could get 300 I might not have done it, I was always looking just

after 200.

But as Paul says having it completely changes your attitude about stops.

I do a lot of long runs and being able to stop and -not- get gas is a

really nice thing. Also it resolves the 1:30am to 6am gap where

gas gets a bit thin off the interstates.

mike

 

[Rob]

If you don't stop at Gas Stations and Mini Marts where do you get your Zingers and Chips?

 

[TheBlueFrog]

Short addendum. Have just over 30K on the FJR now, that's 25K on the Sampson

aux tank. No issues, just plain works.

mike

 

[Slonishku]

Short addendum. Have just over 30K on the FJR now, that's 25K on the Sampsonaux tank. No issues, just plain works.

mike

I know this thread has been inactive for well over a year, but I have a few questions. Does the Sampson taidragger get in the way of tire changes? Is it still going strong?

If I'm not mistaken, you were one of my fellow riders in the '09 Iron Butt. Since I didn't have my FJR at that point, I didn't take the time to look closely at your setup.

 

[TheBlueFrog]

Have over 70K on the bike now, just finished the 10n10 rally. No issues whatsoever.

I pull my own wheels for tire changes, I use a Sears ATV/Motorcycle lift. I just raise it

way up to get the rear out. You can't do it on the centerstand. It is 4 bolts to get

the tank off, maybe 10 minutes. I do have quick disconnect for the fuel line.

I've also done it on a simple floor jack with somebody to hold the bike steady.

Never done the IBR, not quite my thing, more of a just ride type.

mike

 

[RadioHowie]

Have over 70K on the bike now, just finished the 10n10 rally. No issues whatsoever.
I pull my own wheels for tire changes, I use a Sears ATV/Motorcycle lift. I just raise it

way up to get the rear out. You can't do it on the centerstand. It is 4 bolts to get

the tank off, maybe 10 minutes. I do have quick disconnect for the fuel line.

I've also done it on a simple floor jack with somebody to hold the bike steady.

Never done the IBR, not quite my thing, more of a just ride type.

mike

Just 10 posts in 70k of Feejer ownership??? :nono:

 

[LAF]

Have over 70K on the bike now, just finished the 10n10 rally. No issues whatsoever.
I pull my own wheels for tire changes, I use a Sears ATV/Motorcycle lift. I just raise it

way up to get the rear out. You can't do it on the centerstand. It is 4 bolts to get

the tank off, maybe 10 minutes. I do have quick disconnect for the fuel line.

I've also done it on a simple floor jack with somebody to hold the bike steady.

Never done the IBR, not quite my thing, more of a just ride type.

mike

Just 10 posts in 70k of Feejer ownership??? :nono:

Seems he don't have much time to get on the internet as he is out running the wheels off his, cause he don't have to stop for gas.

Sure puts new meaning into "honey I think I will run a tank of gas out of the bike on Sunday"

 

[LDRydr]

FYI, Mike, Hal, Terry and any others running this tank: On mine I've now broken three of the lower support bracket/arms that run up to the muffler hanger bolt. The way that Ron is putting the bends in them is causing them to fracture part of the way through, although it's not visible. One of mine broke during my 48++ ride and I ended up using a tie-down strap to hold it up the rest of the ride. But while it rode along with the tank rubbing on my rear (car) tire the tire rubbed holes through the tank. I've since had a patch welded over the holes. The replacement bracket Ron sent me broke also, during the weekend of the BMWMOA rally and I thankfully noticed it after I got home.

I've had stainless steel replacements made for mine. Use the aluminum ones at your own risk. But the rest of the tank setup is awesome!

If you look closely at this picture you can see a red tie-wrap holding up the broken left-side bracket. The right-side was MIA. Me and Iggy used the broken bracket to fashion a temp replacement when I got to his place later that night (this pic taken in Buffalo SD after I discovered the problem).

Front-bottom of tank after the car-tire rubbed holes in it after the brackets failed. Visible here is the temporary replacement bracket made by Iggy with Mil-spec unobtanium.